I need to clarify here - the temperature in the tank doesn't fluctuate that much. I got an email from the manufacturer of the bacteria and because the rosy barbs and the cories prefer a lower temp than the bettas, it was suggested I keep the temperature to about 76F, I had it at 80F. Because of that I turned the heaters down (I have two 50W's).
As afar as the "Bio-Spira," I'm actually using "One and Only" I was never able to find Bio-Spira around here. I looked it up on a few forums and saw Marineland had discontinued it, but the guy (Tim Havonec) who developed Bio-Spira has from what I understandand bought the lab (Marineland was going to close it down) and is running his own business from there (you can check out drtimsaquarist.com). You can buy this stuff in either 2 or 4 oz bottle - I got the larger one so I can add more if I need to (when I get new fish or do a massive cleaning). I ordered it from Drs Foster and Smith and it does arrive next day on cold packs - I do keep it refrigerated but according to Dr. Tim it can be kept for about 6 months at room temp (otherwise it has a one year expiration date on the bottle). The minimum doseage is 1ml per gallon, but I've added more than that.
My water quality to begin with was really bad (everything looked great, but my ammonia was so high, btn 8-10ppm) - it would only take a couple of days to get this way. I think it was a combination of overfeeding and not enough water changes. There's a lot of conflicting information out there so I was bouncing between those who advise not to change the water too much because it'll slow down the development of the biological filtration and those who say it speeds up the process, and it benefits the fish as well...very confusing since I'd never done this before and although I work in a lab, it's not a bacteriology or aquatics lab. I have learned and will continue to learn what works for my tank - so far the frequent water changes seems like the way to go until the cycle's truly established.
Over the last couple of days the NH3 concentrations have been consistently much better (lower) so I think I'm on a roll. I only did 2 water changes yesterday and they were smaller than what I had been doing. I take out ~3 gallons, add new water in and then siphon out another 3, so it's more gradual dilution rather than emptying out 50%-95% of the tank all at once. The fish don't seem to mind and even though it's probably more work, I'm trying to make not only the fish happy, but the bacteria too..wierd, but there ya go.
I'm very glad I found this forum, it's been really super helpful!
I know the ads have said it can work in a day, or 2-3...but even if it works in 10 days it's an improvement on weeks to develop a cycle.
I'll continue with the updates..
As afar as the "Bio-Spira," I'm actually using "One and Only" I was never able to find Bio-Spira around here. I looked it up on a few forums and saw Marineland had discontinued it, but the guy (Tim Havonec) who developed Bio-Spira has from what I understandand bought the lab (Marineland was going to close it down) and is running his own business from there (you can check out drtimsaquarist.com). You can buy this stuff in either 2 or 4 oz bottle - I got the larger one so I can add more if I need to (when I get new fish or do a massive cleaning). I ordered it from Drs Foster and Smith and it does arrive next day on cold packs - I do keep it refrigerated but according to Dr. Tim it can be kept for about 6 months at room temp (otherwise it has a one year expiration date on the bottle). The minimum doseage is 1ml per gallon, but I've added more than that.
My water quality to begin with was really bad (everything looked great, but my ammonia was so high, btn 8-10ppm) - it would only take a couple of days to get this way. I think it was a combination of overfeeding and not enough water changes. There's a lot of conflicting information out there so I was bouncing between those who advise not to change the water too much because it'll slow down the development of the biological filtration and those who say it speeds up the process, and it benefits the fish as well...very confusing since I'd never done this before and although I work in a lab, it's not a bacteriology or aquatics lab. I have learned and will continue to learn what works for my tank - so far the frequent water changes seems like the way to go until the cycle's truly established.
Over the last couple of days the NH3 concentrations have been consistently much better (lower) so I think I'm on a roll. I only did 2 water changes yesterday and they were smaller than what I had been doing. I take out ~3 gallons, add new water in and then siphon out another 3, so it's more gradual dilution rather than emptying out 50%-95% of the tank all at once. The fish don't seem to mind and even though it's probably more work, I'm trying to make not only the fish happy, but the bacteria too..wierd, but there ya go.
I'm very glad I found this forum, it's been really super helpful!
I know the ads have said it can work in a day, or 2-3...but even if it works in 10 days it's an improvement on weeks to develop a cycle.
I'll continue with the updates..
